Human trafficking trial on hold after accused deemed too high on drugs

The human trafficking trial for a 21-year-old East Preston manhas been delayed because he was too high to give his lawyer instructions.

Owen Gibson-Skeirsfaces 11 charges, including procuring and trafficking a person under the age of 18. The three-day trial was scheduled to startTuesday in Halifax provincial court.

Late Monday afternoon, Gibson-Skeirs was being transferred from the Cape Breton Correctional Facility to Halifax when officials called paramedics.

Crown attorney Catherine Cogswell saidshe learned the accused had been rushed to hospital after "inserting a package of drugs into his person." Cogswell told the court that Gibson-Skeirslater passed the drugs in hospital, andwas released back into custody.

EHS was called again on Tuesday morning, prior to Gibson Skeirs's scheduled appearance.

His lawyer, Ray Kuszelewski, saidit's believed residue from the drugs Gibson-Skeirs ingested the day before were still in his system. Kuszelewski requested a delayto allow time for lucid instructions from his client.

Judge Claudine MacDonaldtold Gibson-Skeirs and his lawyer, "I am doing this very reluctantly."

Gibson-Skeirs staggered out of the Halifax courtoom. The trial is scheduled to resume on Wednesday.